Since 1923
veggies on the way
Page 7
Page 3
50 0 1 6
7
Kaslo may days shine
78195
Arrow Lakes News
1
Vol. 90 Issue 21 • Wednesday, May 22, 2013 • www.arrowlakesnews.com • 250-265-3823 • $1.25 •
PM40036531
Nakusp independent Joseph Hughes shows well in election
Nakusp’s Joseph Hughes says he would run form MLA again for MLA. Photo courtesy Joseph Hughes Claire paradis Arrow Lakes News
Independent candidate Joseph Hughes has been on the road campaigning non-stop, the last ten days of which have been spent traveling with his family camping in their travel trailer.
Reaching the Hughes on the afternoon of the election day, it was clear the family was tired but still full of spirit. “It went really well,” said Joseph Hughes about the campaign to get him from simply being a name on the election ticket to contender for the position of MLA. “I had a few more obstacles than candidates from other parties.” Running without the backing of a political party meant he had had to introduce what he as an independent candidate had to offer and introduce himself as an individual in places where people didn’t already know him. “It’s a challenge to meet 30,000 people,” he told the Arrow Lakes News. When he did get the chance to meet people, he was surprised by both the support and the apathy he encountered. “It’s unfortunate. People say ‘I don’t vote, I want the world to change but I don’t vote,’” Hughes said. “[Apathy] didn’t bother me before, but now it does.” The independent thought he was offering an option that people who don’t usually vote could get behind, but he found this wasn’t necessarily the case. His wife Carlee agreed, saying that many folks in Winlaw, for example, were confident in the powers of nature but not so confident in the power of their own vote.
“It really opened my eyes to apathy,” she said. Support from people in the union town of Castlegar was also a surprise, but of the happy kind. Although he was also surprised by the reluctance that most people had talking about politics or expressing a political opinion, Joseph Hughes hasn’t lost any of his passion or belief in the power of democracy. “People are too afraid to be onesided,” he said, “but not allowing the conversation is a disservice to democracy.” Hughes added he thought it should almost be an obligation for people to speak to matters they feel are important. “They owe it to the community to get involved.” Carlee Hughes added that it was important that conversations about the Columbia River Treaty had been brought up thanks to Joseph’s campaigning. When asked if he would run again for MLA, Joseph’s one-word answer was decisive: “Yep.” And when asked if he would consider running as mayor, he was equally as clear. “No, I’ll never be mayor,” he said, qualifying the statement: “I’m not retired and couldn’t give the job the attention it deserves off the side of my desk.” What would happen if Joseph Hughes were elected MLA for the
West Kootenay? “I’d get to put my money where my mouth is,” he said. “People would get to see how capable Kootenay people are of making their own decisions. “But first I’d take a day off and spend it with my family.” At the end of the day, and according to the initial results, Katrine Conroy was voted in again to represent the riding of Kootenay West with 63 per cent of the vote. Hughes had a good showing in third place with 13.3 per cent, behind Liberal party Jim Postnikoff who received 21.89 per cent of the vote. Although Hughes was surprised the Liberals had such a good showing across the province, taking more than 44 per cent of the vote to the NDP’s 39 per cent, his one hope was that people in the region end up with a strong advocate. The Columbia River Treaty and discussion about water rights were something the independent succeeded in bringing to the table during his campaigning. And it’s not over for the Hughes family who all pitched in on the campaign trail. They could just be out there again in another four years. “I’m glad it’s four years away because I think it’s going to take me four years to get ready for the next one,” said an exhausted but determined Hughes.
Kaslo a great kayak adventure destination Claire paradis Arrow Lakes News
On the western shore of Kootenay Lake, Kaslo sits perched over the water, with the view down its main street punctuated by snow-topped mountains. Like most Kootenay towns, it is a beautiful place, and unique making it a fantastic place to visit even from a nearby village. On sunny days, there can be no better place to be in the world; a light breeze rippled across the water that could be heard in the quiet. The beach was still empty this early in May, although that all changes with the arrival of the long weekend. Beaches fill with kids and moms and families and the place is
alive for Kaslo May Days with sporting loggers, golfers, and vintage cars. But weeks before that fun fracas, we have arrived on a very quiet beach to unload one pair of kayaks, getting them ready for our journey on the water. With two down and two more to come, we snugged on our lifejackets and put our paddles together. Sunblock, hats, water, snacks: check check check. The goal was the other side of the lake where red petroglyphs painted on stone long ago can still be spotted. The rocks themselves are worth the paddle, we were told. With a quick push and a hop, we were off, paddling into the slight wind that kept us cool
See Kaslo kayaking page 6
Petroglyphs across Kootenay Lake are a great destination for kayakers. Claire Paradis/Arrow Lakes News
Something BORROWED, something true. mortgages
home reno loans
equity lines of credit
auto loans
With a Flexible Choice Mortgage from Kootenay Savings, your home dreams can come true. Add a FlexLine LOC and it could truly be the only loan you’ll ever need. Talk to us today. better. together.
kscu.com